IAN Austin, the former England and Lancashire all-rounder, has criticised the running of Cumberland Cricket Club as " amateurish" after the club released him following a mix-up over the rules governing Minor Counties professionals.

Cumberland this week confirmed they had signed Austin's former Lanca-shire team-mate batsmen Graham Lloyd this week and that they were releasing Austin.

" We were intending to keep Ian," said Alan Pemberton, chairman of Cumberland's cricket committee.

"Unfortunately the rules in the Minor Counties say we cannot have two county capped players who have been playing at that level in the past three years.

"By a technicality we are only allowed to have one of them and the committee had to make a choice and decided to release Ian."

He said that Cumberland had heard Graham Lloyd was available and had agreed to sign him after talks.

"One of the reasons for signing Graham is that our batting has been letting us down over the last few seasons," added Mr Pemberton.

"Ian signed for Lancashire League club Haslingden last season and that did affect his availability on Sundays."

Cumberland had also decided to release fast bowler David Pennett, in a decision which looked like paving the way for Lloyd's arrival to play alongside Austin as one of the club's four professionals.

Mr Austin said: "I've got no problem with them signing Graham Lloyd, but the whole way this has been handled has been amateurish.

"The biggest problem is that there are some clowns running the club who don't know their own rules.

"I was brought into the club last season to help make it a more professional set-up on the cricket side and I made some suggestions, but nothing ever gets done."

"As for some of the committee-men, cricket seems just to be an excuse for them being there."

He said on the question of availability that Graham Lloyd was hoping to become a first-class umpire this season.

"If he is successful he will join the reserve list and probably be involved in Second XI matches which will limit any appearances,"he added

Austin, who has not re-signed for Haslingden this season said he had been looking forward to next season

"The Cumberland lads were brilliant and I was looking forward to another season or two."